“It was probably at one of Miss Crestwick’s remarks; she’s undoubtedly original,” returned Millicent. “Still, I think it was chiefly Mr. Marple’s laugh you heard.”
His voice had been most in evidence—it usually carried far—but Lisle was half amused at the disapproval in the girl’s tone.
“I’m afraid I’m now and then a little boisterous, too,” he ventured.
“It depends a good deal upon what you laugh at,” Millicent informed him.
Mrs. Gladwyne looked up again, as if she had not heard, and the girl smiled at her.
“What I said isn’t worth repeating.”
She moved away a pace or two and Lisle watched Bella, who glanced once or twice in his direction as she crossed the lawn. Somehow he felt that he was wanted and a little later he strolled after the girl. Millicent noticed it with a slight frown, though she did not trouble to ask herself why she was vexed. When Lisle reached Bella, she regarded him with mischief in her eyes.
“As I once mentioned, you learn rapidly,” she laughed. “You’ll be thankful for the instruction some day, and I promise not to teach you anything very detrimental. But I’m a little surprised that Millicent Gladwyne allowed you to come.”
“I dare say she could spare me; I’m not a very entertaining companion,” Lisle said humbly.
“It wasn’t that,” Bella explained. “I don’t think she’d like you spoiled—perhaps I should say contaminated; she has ideas on the subject of education, too. She always calls me Miss Crestwick, which is significant; I’ve no doubt she did so when Marple made himself conspicuous by his amusement just now.”